As Lacoochee Elementary School has worked to restaff, one position has drawn almost no attention at all.

The guidance counselor post has sat vacant for the past two years. Before that, it's been spotty. The most recent counselor commuted from Orlando, and left after a year.

Superintendent Kurt Browning called the longtime void "unconscionable," and said this year he will make it a priority to fill the spot.

"I am going to go and hunt one down," Browning said, noting that he had a couple of names in mind.

He said he had heard stories that in the past, principals had told their staff counselors not to apply for the job. That's not acceptable, he said, adding that he would provide possibilities for principal Latoya Jordan to select among as soon as possible -- unless she already had someone in mind she'd like to "pirate away."

"I'm going to find a guidance counselor for Lacoochee Elementary School," Browning reiterated, winning loud applause from the school faculty.

The school still has three other open jobs: ICT coach, science coach and literacy coach.

About the blog

Gradebook features education articles and insights on schools in Florida, focusing on Tampa Bay area schools. What's the latest from the Florida Department of Education? How is the FCAT being used to compare Florida schools? What's going on in Tampa Bay schools? Get an insider's view from the Times education reporting team.